Digital Marketing: latest News from the World – November Part 2
Welcome to our blog, where innovation meets strategy in the dynamic realm of digital marketing! In this post, we’ll examine the latest developments and emerging trends that are transforming the digital landscape. From recent updates in social media algorithms to AI-powered marketing techniques, these changes offer exciting possibilities for brands and marketers.
Get ready to learn how these advancements can revolutionize your campaigns, broaden your reach, and boost your ROI. We’ll analyze the key developments shaping the future of digital marketing, offering detailed insights to help you stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field. Don’t miss this comprehensive look at the current trends and news that are at the forefront of digital marketing!
Google launches a new Core Update!
Google has announced the launch of a new core update. With this core update of its algorithm, Google is repeating last year’s risky move, when it launched a similar process on November 3, on the eve of the peak sales season. In this case, the company has reported that this November core update will take two weeks to complete, which puts us on the horizon of the eve of Black Friday itself, to be held next November 29.
In a post on LinkedIn, Google has simply commented that “this update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people actually find useful and less content that looks like it was created just to perform well in search.”
A new core update in a contentious year
If you follow us regularly, you’ll know that Google releases these types of updates several times a year. In the case of 2024, we have already witnessed two: one in March and one in August.
The March update was a more extensive update than usual, and included changes to the algorithm to improve the quality of search results and reduce spam, something that previously fell under the umbrella of the “spam updates” that Google released separately. At that time Google explained that there had been a 45% reduction in unoriginal or low-quality content in search results and that it had improved its ability to detect useless pages, those that provide a bad user experience and were designed to please search engines and not to provide value to people.
In the case of the August update, it was aimed at correcting some deficiencies produced in its search results as a result of the implementation of past updates, especially the one developed in March and the helpful content update of September 2023, which provoked complaints from small publishers who saw their websites fall into irrelevance.
Google launches Ads Editor 2.8
Google released version 2.8 of Google Ads Editor, introducing AI-generated images and several new features while deprecating support for older versions.
Key updates:
- AI image generation from text prompts.
- Google Sheets export capability.
- Resizable error pane.
- Brand guidelines support for Performance Max.
- Image cropping tools.
- Enhanced video controls.
Why we care. The latest version brings significant updates to help you manage campaigns more efficiently, including AI-powered tools and improved campaign controls.
What’s new. Performance improvements:
- Third-party measurement extended to Performance Max and Demand Gen
- Strict age and gender targeting options
- Improved inventory controls for video campaigns
UI improvements:
- Resizable error pane
- Centralized error documentation
- Enhanced image management tools
The catch. Editor version 2.5 and below will no longer be supported, forcing users to upgrade.
Between the lines. The addition of AI-generated images signals Google’s growing emphasis on AI in advertising tools.
What to watch. Whether advertisers embrace the new AI image generation feature and how it impacts creative production workflows.
Bottom line. Google continues to modernize its advertising tools with AI capabilities while improving usability and campaign management features.
news
Temu under investigation in Europe
Temu is one of the most famous online stores that exist alongside giants such as Amazon and AliExpress, as it has millions of products in its catalog: clothing, cell phones, video games, toys, televisions, appliances …. In addition, the Chinese store is known worldwide for the low prices and the amount of offers it offers daily. But not everything is happiness for the Chinese giant, as it is currently under investigation for allegedly selling illegal products in the European Union.
The investigation consists of several fronts and the most relevant points to the sale of illegal products by sellers who were expelled from Temu and have reappeared to repeat their bad practices. In addition, it is also being investigated whether the company is making proper use of the system of publication of parameters when offering recommendations to its customers, since the law indicates that users must have easily accessible options that are not based exclusively on profiling.Although the opening of the case is only the first step in trying to shed light on the practices employed by the company, it is worth remembering that the penalties could be up to 6% of annual worldwide turnover, if the most serious suspicions are confirmed.
Temu is willing to cooperate
In a statement sent to EFE, a Temu spokesperson said that the company will do its utmost to prevent the sale of any products that break the law:
“We can confirm that we are in talks to join this initiative. Counterfeiting is a challenge for the entire industry and we believe that collaborative efforts are essential to advance our shared goals of protecting consumers and rights holders.”
artificial intelligence
Google updates its machine learning courses
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning are increasingly present in our daily lives and in the professions of the future. In this context, Google has launched a free course that allows users to learn the basics of machine learning and get certified in just 35 minutes. Aimed primarily at journalists and content creators, this training is designed to explore how AI can improve the generation and analysis of digital content.
Free Google course: content and structure
The course focuses on topics such as data classification, analyzing large volumes of information and ethics in the use of AI. Through seven lessons, users can learn how to use machine learning in their professional activities:
- Are machine learning and AI the same thing?
- Different approaches to machine learning
- How to apply machine learning
- How does a machine learn?
- Machine learning in journalism
- Biases and ethics in machine learning
- Perspectives on AI-driven journalism.
The course requires no prior knowledge or registration fees, so anyone interested can access it from developers.google.com/machine-learning. Upon completion, participants must pass a test to obtain their certification.
Tools and advantages of AI in journalism
Machine learning allows journalists to discover patterns in large volumes of data, which is useful for analyzing trends or conducting in-depth investigations quickly and accurately. Professionals can learn, for example, to classify and analyze data, essential tasks in a digital environment where information is constantly multiplying.
Google’s educational proposal and its impact
This course is an opportunity for those looking to expand their professional profile with skills in a rapidly expanding technology. The free certification in AI and machine learning can be a differential in the labor market, boosting careers in digital journalism and other industries that require advanced data analysis.
Amazon
Amazon Haul now active in the U.S.: a surprising anti-Temu movement
Amazon has launched Amazon Haul in the United States, a new shopping experience that allows users to access items in categories such as fashion, home and electronics at prices under $20 and with average delivery times of “one to two weeks.” This launch clearly responds to a growing trend of consumers looking for inexpensive products, even if that means longer delivery times. Basically, the model that has led eCommerce such as Temu or Shein to success halfway around the world, and against which Amazon has decided to fight with the same weapons.
Extremely low” prices
Amazon Haul offers a wide variety of products, from tech accessories to household items, with prices ranging from $1 to $20 and additional discounts of 5% on orders of $50 or more, or 10% on orders of $75.
According to Dharmesh Mehta, vice president of Amazon, “Finding great products at very low prices is important to customers and we continue to explore ways we can work with our seller partners to offer products at extremely low prices.
Amazon Haul aims to help make shopping for products in categories like fashion, home, lifestyle, electronics and more even more fun, easy and affordable, all backed by Amazon’s A to Z Guarantee so customers can shop with confidence that the products they are purchasing are safe, authentic and in the condition they expect. We are just beginning to offer this experience and will continue to listen to customers as we refine and grow it in the coming weeks and months.”
Even in design it looks like Temu
Users can access this new catalog from the Amazon Shopping app by searching for “Haul” in the search bar or main menu. If you want to take a look but you don’t have this app, you can visit the Haul url, but you will only be able to see its content if you browse from your mobile. As you will see, the design is very similar in many ways to stores like Temu, with items displayed in a grid format, with a profusion of emojis and messages like “buy now! If you think about it, even the very name chosen, Haul, is reminiscent of the hauls that have become so popular among users of rock-bottom price stores like Hacoo.
What is a haul: the trend that is all the rage on Hacoo?
Amazon’s goal is to make the shopping experience accessible to those who want to save the most on reliable products. Every item in Amazon Haul is backed by Amazon’s A to Z Guarantee, protecting consumers in the event of damaged, defective, or different from description products.
For those who want to return an Amazon Haul product, Amazon offers free returns at more than 8,000 locations in the U.S., including Amazon Lockers and stores such as Whole Foods and Staples.
With these initiatives, Amazon reinforces its focus on offering affordable and accessible alternatives, while adapting to the changing needs of its customers.
Meta
Prices drop on Instagram and Facebook
U.S. technology giant Meta has announced that it will adjust its advertising strategy for its Facebook and Instagram networks in the Old Continent under pressure from European Union (EU) regulations.
Cheaper subscriptions for users who do not want to see advertising, as well as the ability to customize free Facebook and Instagram accounts to see less personalized advertising are the new features announced.
“The changes we are announcing today meet the demands of EU regulators and go beyond what is required by EU law”
“The changes we are announcing meet the demands of EU regulators and go beyond what is required by EU law,” the company notes in a statement.
EU regulators have an open investigation to look into whether Meta breaks any of their regulations and the institution is expected to reach a conclusion next year.
Pricing
Meta pledged to reduce the price of Facebook and Instagram ad-free subscriptions by 40% (from €9.99 to €5.99 per month on the web, and from €12.99 to €7.99 per month on iOS and Android).
“In the coming weeks, people in the EU who choose to use Facebook and Instagram for free with ads will be able to choose to see ‘less personalized ads.’ This option is based on less data, so we will show ads based only on context (what a person sees in a particular session on Facebook and Instagram) and a minimal set of data including age, location, gender and how they interact with ads,” the company says regarding the free option.
Meta pledged to reduce the price of Facebook and Instagram ad-free subscriptions by 40%.
The financial implications of the move for Meta will depend in part on how many users change their ad preferences, but Meta has told European regulators that it expects the European imposition of less personalized ads is going to have a negative impact on its business.
Revenue in Europe
“Every euro spent on ads on Meta generates €3.79 in revenue from advertisers in Europe. This value is only available through personalized advertising, but it is at risk of decreasing because, if EU regulation makes digital advertising less efficient, the entire European business community will suffer the consequences,” the company states by way of warning in its release.
The Old Continent accounted for 23% of Meta’s revenues in its latest financial report.
A few months ago, Meta joined other companies such as Spotify and Prada to note in an open letter that the European Union risks missing out on the full benefits of artificial intelligence due to the bloc’s technology regulations.
Latest Tech and Digital Marketing Updates
📌Big opportunity for brands. The 3rd edition of the Squid Craft Games is coming to Twitch on November 12, pitting 200 content creators against each other in daily Minecraft challenges for a $100,000 prize. Notable sponsors include Dunkin, Intel or Honda.
📌TikTok a cybersecurity risk? Some countries fear that the Chinese government collects user data. Some countries such as the U.S., Great Britain, Denmark or Canada have banned the use of the app on government devices.
📌Watch out for this: a vulnerability in the Happy Addons plugin for Elementor affects 400,000 WordPress sites. I recommend you update to version 3.12.6 to protect sites and prevent possible attacks.
📌Nestle alliance with Formula 1. From 2025 there will be promotions, prizes such as tickets and merchandising items. In addition, at some races there will be KitKat “fan zones” and advertising of the Nestlé chocolate bar at the circuits.
📌Shop at Lidl with its customizable shopping cart. After launching in the past products such as sneakers or socks, Lidl launches for 14.99€ a shopping cart for you to do your shopping and customize it as you want with the 18 stickers inside.
📌The European Commission fined Meta €800 million for taking advantage of its dominant position on Facebook to promote its ad service, Facebook Marketplace, unfairly. This harmed other ad platforms.
📌La Vanguardia and The Guardian stop publishing on X. They themselves say that the platform has become a channel for disinformation and toxic content since the arrival of Elon Musk.
📌WordPress 6.7 arrives. With new features such as an image deferred upload feature that improves performance. It also introduces the Twenty Twenty-Five theme, with more flexible templates and improved design patterns. Accessibility and performance optimization improvements have also been made.
📌Google Ad Manager launches new curation features. This update makes it easier to manage campaigns, optimize billing, and improve budget forecasting and management. Agencies can now automate operational tasks, focusing more on strategy and generating better results for clients.
📌One of the most anticipated moments of every Christmas. As every year, the Christmas Lottery ad generates thousands of interactions. In the 2024 ad, solidarity and human connection stand out.
